Ugly Americans Taught A Lesson

Of all the pieces of travel advice that I’ve learnt over the years this is perhaps the most important one. Don’t lip off to security, most of them are just doing their job.

This spring I found myself in the departure queue at the San Jose airport in Costa Rica waiting to board a flight back to Canada via the states. Glancing around I noticed that I was to share the flight with a group of American college students. You’d think that being enrolled in a school of higher learning that some of them would have caught on by now. I’m writing about “Common Sense”. It’s cannot be taught at school and for some it must learnt the hard way. Now I’ve noticed over the years that students and the “establishment” quite often don’t mix. This is one such story. These kids, old enough to know better, were fed up having to wait in line – What is taking so long? Dump my water before boarding? Not, I’m not going to empty my backpack again. And so on and so on.

A wizened traveler, I listened and grinned. This was going to be good. Latin countries I’ve discovered usually run on a more relaxed pace and showing respect is only courteous. Well two classmates, a guy and a girl, decided that enough was enough and that they’d show those security guys a thing or two. We’re Americans and we don’t tolerate this kind crap was their attitude. Well it didn’t take long. To give the Costa Rican security team credit, they listened to the gibberish spewing forth for about a minute, smiled and ignored them. The kids seeing no results raised their voices (big mistake). Out came the portable radios. Before anyone could blink these two kids were surrounded and stiff armed to the side of the queue and promptly strip searched right there against the wall in front of us all and none too gently at that. Off came the shirts, belts, jeans, socks, backpacks were emptied and water bottles dumped. Faces beet red, the two were left there to stand in their boxers, panties and bra while their passports were slowly scrutinized. The girl by the way was wearing a cute pink bra. In shock the rest of their classmates reformed ranks straight as an arrow and there was dead silence from them until final boarding. It was a pleasant boarding experience for me, no noisome kids mouthing off, just respect now oozing profusely from all of them.

So because they described their complaints to those in authority, that makes it acceptable to treat them like animals? Granted, they may have gone about it the wrong way, but that does not give them the right to be publicly degrated and brutalized. Nor does it ethically warrant your bragging about the situation or the poor girl's cute pink bra, Canadian Traveler. They may have been annoying, but that hardly warrants such a terrible experience that they may well be traumatized for quite some time for. How shameful.

Wanted to be treated with respect? Then treat other with respect! This kind of talk is irritating and annoying. just because we misbehaved doesn't give you the right to misbehave. SHUT UP. You want to be treated with fairness, maybe you should start treating others the same way you want to be treated!!!

While the story is interesting and entertaining, your bigotry ruins it. You assume these kids have high and mighty "American" attitudes and thats why they objected to the arduous process. Maybe it's just, oh I don't know… BECAUSE THEY'RE KIDS! Not all Americans are like that, in fact, very few are! It's not right to stereotype and entire nation of people just because a few arrogant asses happen to live here.

I think that they weren't being just kids. To be honest they were probably the spoiled upper middle class 18 – 24 ish young men and women who have no concept of respect or humility. They deserved to be searched that way and left to feel shame. They had no right to act so arrogantly. People have been strip searched to their birthday suits for less.

Yeah, they should have acted like adults, but I have to agree with Andrew and ESP; the story was ruined by your bigotry. The US is a big country; don't judge by the .01% that you see on TV, and the ones that you see acting out. Every country has idiots, including Canada.

And while they were out of line by acting up, being strip-searched in public is pretty rough.

It's not rough. It's a normal occurrence. The US and its politically correct liberal attitude is too lenient on offenders and everyone has to have some cause over nothing that has anything to do with them. People should mind their own business and follow the rules. Then these things don't happen. And people who need something to complain about don't need to be heard.

FYI. Canada has no idiots. It's been proven. They move to the US by law 🙂

While I don't have a problem with them being strip searched and scrutinized, there should have been an attempt to do it in a private area. Doing that in front of everyone is unnecessary. Also I agree with Andrew's comments about the "holier than thou" attitude towards Americans.

I travel between Richmond, VA and Toronto, Edmonton, and Calgary very frequently and I have to say I've never seen travelers more indignant than some of the Canadian citizens I've encountered. It works both ways…people are rude…get over it.

Would have been a good story if you'd have left out the ridiculous bias. Of course, you're only a Canadian. That's to be expected.

I'm calling BS on this story and betting the strip search in public never took place.

Also a very interesting title to this, because living in South Florida I can't tell you how many Canadian kids I see acting like spoiled fools during the season. Don't ever trust someone with an obvious agenda.

I, too, am calling BS. This is not a true story – just something made up by someone who has an unexplainable bias against an entire country. If such a story had happened, then your gleeful comment about the girl's "cute pink bra" would have instantly branded you a supremely ugly Canadian. None of the American men I know would take joy in the sexual abuse of a girl.

I completely agree with the above comments-the rudeness of those travelers had nothing to do with their nation of origin. I have run into both wonderful and horribly unpleasant people on every continent I've visited. Your story only demonstrates your sad narrow-mindedness and bigotry.

But there is such things as too far. IF, these kids where left shaking in their knickers then it was not only wrong but abusive. I work in airport security and I can tell you there have been a couple of kids from Canada that needed a good kick in the pants, in facts kids from Greece, Angola, Nambia, Italy and France have all needed a good kick! It is not an American thing, all kids can be snotty… period!

I think the submitter is full of BS. And the "Ugly Americans" comment show that this is simply a BS story meant to show her dislike for the USA. And they WILL NOT strip search you where you stand, that's where your BS story fails utterly and completely. Jackass.

Those kids will never ever forget that event. What a perfect consequence to such ridiculous behavior. Nobody was hurt or robbed which – actions that would not have been surprising in other countries. All that happened was humiliation. Bravo!

THIS IS SUCH A CROCK! THE ONLY TRUE PART OF THIS STORY IS THAT RESPECT IS DEEPLY INGRAINED IN LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE. HOW THEN WOULD STRIP SEARCHING THE STUDENTS IN FRONT OF EVERYONE BE A RESPECTFUL RESPONSE?

I'VE TRAVELED TO A GOOD DEAL OF LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES, I AM MEXICAN, AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN.

I'm shocked that people think thats appropriate, being strip searched in public for being an obnoxious brat. Thats what students do!

I think that if this story is true, then you come off as a pervert, oogling a young girl wearing a cute pink bra. Imagine her complete humiliation, and fear at being that vulnerable in front of a zillion people. If it had happened in a prison (being publicly strip searched in front of men), then there would be an outcry. Yet some people seem to think this OK, the humiliation of innocent (lippy and obnoxious and rude and arrogant, but not malicious) is acceptable.

Shame on you all

Yes there behavior wasn't good, but they weren't being violent or threatening, just creating a fuss. I've seen adults behave like that, they were kids and taken advantage of.

Men around the world are routinely strip searched by females in prisons without any outcry. Why should females be any different? The young man was supposedly strip searched as well; given how perverted many females are, they probably ogled him far more.

I've traveled to a lot of countries and I've never gotten the impression that Americans have a monopoly on smart-mouthed idiots. Those sort seem to be pretty evenly distributed throughout the world, as far as I can tell–shockingly, even in Canada!

Wow, Canadians must be so much more respectful, travel-savvy, "wizened," and just overall saints compared to all the brutish Americans who need to be taught a lesson /sarc. What rubbish. I'm not even convinced that this story is true. Maybe the first part of it, but the strip-search was probably part of the writer's fantasy.

It always seemed to me that older fogey Germans went on vacation solely to bemoan how dirty the outside world was, and expensive, and inferior the food/beer/service at home. Oh, and how prude the "culture-free Amis" were about going topless in public.

Ha – I'm an American, and I disagree with the people that say most Americans are nice. Bigotry is very prevalent here in America, and those kids probably indeed were of the upper-middle class variety that grew up feeling entitled. They got exactly what they deserved.

I am an American who lived in Canada for six months. I love your fine country, but get over yourself. There's plenty of a-holes in your country too. I would have loved to watch those kids get what was coming to them, but their being Americans had nothing to do with it.

I am a college student and even I know better, but how rude for the 'Canadian Traveler' to assume that all american college students are like that. I am sure that some where along the line a Canadian has got stripped searched. Also, if your such a frequent flier, why not be friendly and give them the some advice before they started shouting at the guards? Maybe my parents raised me wrong, but i was taught to masochistic and enjoy other peoples humiliation.

American colleges may not teach common sense. They do, however, teach proper grammer. You're an idiot. The period goes inside of the quotes. To simplify for you, you should have written "common sense." Which, by the way, should not be capitalized. Maybe instead of posting fake, offensive stories on the internet you should read a book.

Um, it’s “grammar”. And the period only goes inside the quotes in AMERICA. Since this traveler was from Canada, he/she did use proper grammar for his/her country.
Although I find the premise of this story horrid and disgusting, and the traveler’s gloating reprehensible, YOU are the idiot here.

I am an American and a traveler. I completely believe those kids acted in that manner. It is so easy to point out Americans in other countries…most of them are loud, rude, impatient and completely oblivious to culture or tradition. The kids learned a hard lesson and that's too bad for them…maybe they'll be more respectful next time.

Great story. The over-indulged kids deserved it. The holier-than-thou attitude of the Canadian writer ruins this story, though. I'm sure plenty of non-American kids act like complete asses on a daily basis. Even Canadian kids. The fact that they are American in this story has nothing to do with anything. Seems that there are some Canadians just as smug and boorish as some Americans.

Canadian Traveler huh? Canadian Twat is really more like it. Not only are you unable to construct sentences with proper grammar and punctuation, but you are a very bad liar. There are obnoxious assholes all across the globe. Canada is no different and you have proven that point by posting this fabrication. Infact, I find Canadians to be boorish, elitest pricks (huge sense of self righteousness) most of the time, even though your country has a 'reputation' for supposedly being friendly. Also, I have never heard of Costa Rican airport agents conducting themselves in the manner you described.

I think maybe this could have happened to anyone from any country.It is very nice to see you are the mature one just trying to add to the americans reputation .By the way Mr. American if you took a poll who do you think could name more american states and capitols americans or canadians .Your right that has nothing to do with it

I find it amusing how completely uninformed Americans are about how they are perceived by the rest of the world. It is no doubt an unfair perception to the vast majority of Americans but unfortunately, on the rudeness scale, no one can top a loud mouth American. The problem is the "I don't give a ####" attitude about what others think. Obviously the writer just wanted to flush out some sensitive Americans. It worked!

Yea, I agree. This type of response is exactly what this jealous canadian dick-squeeze wanted. Well, since I am American and am fully aware of the usually correct perception of Americans the rest of the world has, I'll just live up to the reputation. This "Canadian Traveler" desperately wants to get a rise out of some American "Cochons" so that he can feel better about himself quietly whispering to himself "See? Canadians are better! Look how offended these Americans are! I am enjoying re-reading these posts 4 times a day so much I might just go rub one out!".

I will say one thing to you Dick-Wad, maybe if you attain a military force comparable to ours, a health-care system comparable to ours, and an overall general attitude that doesn't make you come off as a butt-pirate, then you can talk shit.

The american health care system is a disgrace(pay or gtfo) and the military crack shows your ignorance and the attitude hated around the world. You are living off the greatness of men and women that came before you. Your post was more idiotic than his, congrats you win mr. douche from Georgia.

The story is clearly false as Latin countries, with strong Catholic influence, would never allow a public strip search. Further, having seen some of the total B.S. tried by utterly incompetant employees and airport officials in Latin American countries, I'd have to take the kids' side as a matter of common sense. When people can't maintain even a hint of order, they deserve to be called on it.

It's a little prejudiced to suggest that these students were uncooperative and disrespectful because they were American. I'm an American who often has to fly, and never have I caused any sort of trouble. Neither have the friends with whom I have traveled. Nor would we tolerate it if we saw it.

Let's not generalize an entire country of people, hmm? It's a hallmark of the ignorant, mister Canadian Traveler.

Nothing is worse than a smug complacent Canadian, who feels superior to Americans because they are Canadian. The worst travellers I have seen were Canadians, expecting special treatment, because they were Canadians.

Yes Americans are rude, but really we are no more rude than anyone else, maybe less so ,I don’t know. I do know that I have seen Americans treated with open contempt in other countries, but never see foreign travelers treated with anything but open friendliness. Even in NYC! Yes there a few grumpy asses here, but for the most part, we are open and friendly towards our guests. Americans are greeted with open contempt in a lot of countries and I attribute that to jealously and ignorance.

As for the kids in the story, if it’s true, it was a shame. But I can see any spoiled shit of a kid acting that way. Throwing in the fact they were American only proves one thing, bashing Americans online is fashionable and there for shallow and unsophisticated

When I lived abroad, people (Europeans, in particular) would say the most obnoxious, outlandishly bigoted, comments about Americans to my face (and in a manner that seemed to indicate that the notion that what they said was unacceptable never registered).

The one I remember the most clearly was in a Chinese language class of about six students and a Chinese teacher. By and large, the people were lovely, and we all got along great. Expats tend to form tight communities. One comment by a (European, not saying which country) student left me flabbergasted.

She was telling a story of some American jackass (I don't know how she knew he was American, he was a stranger to her, and their whole exchange had to have lasted a grand total of 5 seconds) pinched her in the foreign bar district. So far, I sympathized…until she went on to say how she handled it:

"I turned around and yelled 'you stupid American!' Because he was, just a stupid American…'

Right to my face. No one else batted an eye; everyone just nodded empathetically. I wonder what would have happened if nationalities got switched, and I was telling the story:

"I turned around and yelled 'you stupid German/Italian/Brit/Belgian' Because he was, just a stupid (insert)…'

They would have been talking about the rude, bigoted *American* girl they once had a class with for ages after that, wouldn't they?

It was then that I decided I would not have patience for inane comments made about 'those Americans.' Maybe the US is not a popular country; maybe it doesn't mix well with someone's politics. That doesn't change the fact that rude is rude.

I agree that leaving them in the underwear was out of line. Next time, off with it! Have the Costa Ricans forgot the meaning of "strip search"?

I live in the US, but I'm not American. And I have to agree with many of the posters above – Americans on average are more rude than elsewhere. Has nothing to do with being a certain age, in college, or belonging to a certain class.

Ever wonder why a lot of people don't like Americans? Don't believe the TV propaganda, it all comes down to simple human behavior. If you behave like a civilized person, you'll be treated accordingly.

As I said before, I'm an American who has often had to fly. I've lived overseas more than once.

I have found some non-Americans to be just as rude as you're claiming Americans to be. It's beyond hypocritical to criticize America for its collective rudeness and be unconcerned with how the rest of the world acts.

That being said, I also have friends overseas whose only negative opinion of America has been our GOVERNMENT, not our people. Something we've shown obvious interest in changing.

Sure, there are jerks in America. But they're not jerks because they're American. They're jerks because they're JERKS. It has nothing to do with nationality. There are plenty of jerks of all different races and nationalities to go around, people. If you meet an unpleasant American, I promise you, most of his countrymen don't like him either.

I'm the last person to get patriotic, to be honest. I'm really not that way. I'm rather liberal and quite critical of the policies here. But one must wonder, if America and its people are so terrible, why are the people who complain still living here?

I mean that in a way to instigate discussion, not start a fight. Just so I'm not taken as being abrasive.

Again, people bash Americans because it's fashionable, and for no other reason. I actually met one of the rudest gobshites in Dublin, a real bollix, and I met a native eejit in every city I have been in as well, the biggest ever in Toronto. Every one of them, not unlike the kids in the story, arrogant asses thinking their shite didn’t stink.

Simply put bashing anyone is just the widdlings of a simple knob head or just a citizen of this sad sad world.

Strip searching these spoiled brats in front of everyone made the necessary statement. It made all the other spoiled snots STFU and follow directions as they should have been from the very beginning. Good for the Costa Rican officials for not putting up with any BS. Had I been there, I would've applauded and seen which brats would've dared say anything more about it. As for the slight "bigotry", it is what it is..

Really didn't matter where they were from cause they won't try that shyt again *rotflmao*. If they were so high and mighty and special, they should have flown first class or chartered a private plan…case close. Could have been worse.

I think this post is full of crap from some America hating Canadian. I have seen MANY rude Canadians who think that the world is their trashpost (Including some drunk expats in South Korea who thought climbing a fake palm tree outside a bar was funny, broke it in half, then ran off laughing). Get a life! *BLAME CANADA, BLAME CANADA

Those kids deserved what they got, but i've found in general, that canadians suck. They just love going around the world telling people their not americans. Anyone that will listen…hey, did you know i'm not an american? he your quite cute, but don't let my white skin and Nike's fool you, i'm not an american. If I had a dime for every canadian flag i've seen sown on a backpack, so no one thinks they're americans, i'd have a bout 10 worthless canadian dollars. Meanwhile, i've seen drunk, idiot canadians make just as big of fools of themselves in bars in europe as any group of ugly college americans.

I am Canadian, but I lived in Florida for a year — and the majority of Americans I met were absolutely LOVELY. Yes, some were a bit ignorant about the rest of the world, but still — extremely friendly.

Now I am living in the UK (with a Brit) and actually, am finding that most of the Brits I meet are more obnoxious — and they are the ones who have the rep around the world for being too polite for words. It's funny — stereotypes aren't often true!

But the comments here … it's nice to know what you all think about Canada and Canadians. But aren't you just doing exactly what you are accusing this poster of doing? Judging an entire nation of people just by ONE post on a website?

Very uncool. Every country has its share of jerks, and every country has its share of nice people. It never changes. Canadians aren't any nicer than Americans, and vice versa. Everyone has seen someone make a fool out of themselves when they travel.

It doesn't make it ok to criticize an entire country and its people. I know for a fact that Canadians are just like everyone else – and we don't deserve the vilification just because ONE jerk posted this on this website. Not to get heavy, but my brother is going out to Afghanistan this year to fight in the US' war … don't we deserve a little more respect from our next door neighbors?

Not just the original story, which I did take with a huge grain of salt, but the comments…all 76 of of them when I was reading. What a hoot!

There were people correcting other people's spelling and grammar using incorrect spelling and grammar of their own. There were people calling other people names for calling other people names. There was even someone talking about Canada attaining a military force comparable to the the US…as if that had anything whatsoever to do with anything.

Oddly enough, that person even suggested Canada needs to attain a health-care system comparable to that in the US. Since Canadian and American health care itself is of equally high quality, and since the person was talking about the health care SYSTEM, perhaps the person ought to reconsider? Certainly the systems are different. And, yes, both have strong and weak points.

But, since innumerable studies have shown that the #1 reason Americans don't get the medical treatment they need is because they can't afford it, which is not an issue Canadians face, perhaps that person shouldn't be thinking our SYSTEM is something Canadians should aspire to?

Regardless, there were a ton of "ugly American" responses from people complaining about Canadian Traveler's story about "ugly Americans," actually kinda proving his point. Yes, there are jerks of all nationalities. And, no, we shouldn't all be tarred with the same brush. But acting like an ugly American sure isn't a way to prove Americans aren't ugly.

I live in North Dakota, near the US/Canada border, and Canadians are probably the worst invention ever. They come down to the US and annoy the piss out of anyone living here. That little lever that sticks out of the left side of your steering wheel? It's a blinker. Use it. Those lines in parking lots? Park in between them, not straddling them. And those arrows at the entrances to angled parking lot rows? That's the direction you're supposed to drive, not the opposite. Canadians are a nuisance to mankind. I'd rather be a jerk than a retard.

Not only that, but you've explained something that I've long wondered about. Apparently everyone here in my part of Kansas is also Canadian…no use of turn signals, taking up more than one parking space, driving the wrong way in an angled parking lot.

Yup…they're all Canadians, no matter what they claim to be. Thanks for the clarification!

What I gathered from this story is that this is typical American behavior. I'm American and have never behaved that way. It seems I have been denying my heritage and should be as arrogant and rude as possible the next time I fly! I hope you are seated next to me, story teller.

(I do work at a University with plenty of foreign students. Rude and self-centered can come from any one regardless of their origin, as can bigotry.)

OK, to say these kids were obnoxious BECAUSE they were American was wrong. They were obnoxious because they had never been taught to respect others at all times. THAT is their parents fault. It happens here in Canada too… just not as often as it happens among Americans. We travel several times a year and, overall, the majority of times we observe bad manners, disrespect or pretentious behaviour it is usually accompanied by a 'south of the 49th' twang.

As far as strip searching the two of them in public, it was inappropriate… just as inappropriate as loud-mouthing the security personnel who were simply doing their job. One thing for sure though… I GUARANTEE they will keep their mouths shut next time!!

Yes sir, I highly doubt this story. But it did give me a half-hour of mirthful reading! My, but aren't we all so patriotic! All this NOB/SOB stuff makes me laugh. That said, I've found that bigotry is probably the purest form of self-loathing…

True or not, the gratuitous America-bashing is all too common among our northern neighbors, but in the end says more about the basher than about Americans. I've lived in "old Europe" for 20 years, but the most virulent, sustained and utterly unprovoked personal attacks – they are unfortunately many – I've experienced come from English-speaking Canadians. Substitute Americans in his comments with blacks, Latinos, Jews, women, Asians or anything else and the anti-discrimination gurus north of the supposed border of enlightenment would be having fits. How ugly.

"To be honest they were probably the spoiled upper middle class 18 – 24 ish young men and women who have no concept of respect or humility." -Anonym

I'm so glad I'm about to turn 25 so I can finally grow up and be respectful.

Oh wait.

I had good parents who taught me to be a good person, regardless of social class.

Honestly, there are rude people everywhere. I've spent time in Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Spain. Most people in every country were perfectly agreeable, though I did come closest to getting sexually assaulted in public in Germany…hmmm…

80ish comments on how not all americians act in this way and how this writer is displaying such bigotry, yet all I see after each valid point is an americian displaying such behavior and bigtry themselves. I agree, every country has it's losers, but saying that and then saying the writer is displaying bigtry "typical Canadian" seriously?

Some of the things I'm hearing people say are appalling to me. I really don't believe that this story is true and that they were strip searched in public, but the fact that numerous people feel that they deserved that is incredible. They deserved to be detained, but privately. Forcing them to stand in front of everyone almost naked is a violation of basic human rights and human dignity. If someone pulled an unconsenting person's clothes off on a city street, everyone would agree that they should be arrested. The fact that a decent percentage of people are pleased at essentially the same thing happening in the name of "security" is a sad commentary on our society.

you fuckin canadians think your shit don't stink! well lemme tell you something i can smell ya from here! I think you could have come up with a different title to your story than that! you should think a little bit more about what you write instead of writing something as tasteless as that! yea i know i'm writing tasteless material now and not bein the nicest but i don't care i didn't right a story for everyone to see..i am now though! so in closing fuck canada fuck flyin and fuck you..Ey?

Lived in Washington, skied in Idaho a few times. Once got stuck on a long tram ride with a Canadian who felt it was his duty to "shame" me for all of the Americans he had ever met who didn't know what was going on in Canadian politics, sports, life, etc. Asked him why he bothered to come south to ski if he hated us so much … he shrugged and said that Americans were more fun to be around. If I could have opened the door and shoved him out I would have been happy to make Idaho a better place for that moment.

LMFAO! I don't know which is funnier, this story or the stream of angry, self-righteous Americans responding to it. Americans are renowned for their bad behavior and they're the only ones who don't seem to know it.

Americans ARE loud and rude and obnoxious. It's their culture to be "independent" and "strong-willed". Now, some Americans are very polite and courteous. But, I'm just saying, American culture raise their people to be so-called strong, independent people which equals (sometimes) bratty, disrespectful, and ignorant people.

As another person commented, these were kids, no matter what school they attend or where they are from..kids as well as adults can be and will be rude at times (in the least appropriate places)..could be their upbringing, situation they are in etc. ( I could go on forever)..However the country they come from has nothing to do with it. I am a Canadian and as such am proud to be…..Rudeness has nothing to do with the country you live in…

What I DON'T like are people who as soon as they find out I'm American say something like "well you don't ACT American." Bitch please, I love drinking cheap beer at Fourth of July parties just as much as anyone else! I also can't stand Americans who go abroad and pretend to be Canadian. Man up and represent your own fucking country yo.

I am an American and I agree with the Canadian Gentleman. America's media make Americans think we run the world and when the inexperienced Yank is traveling internationally they tend to carry this attitude with them. Not everyone on this planet like Americans. The American Bill of Rights only exists in America so be very polite when visiting other countries. Big hint. Keep your voice down. American accents can be very annoying to the untrained ear.

No. The behavior exhibited by those twits was typically American. Me!! Me!! Me!! I am the Paris Hilton of my little world. Ugh! The sense of entitlement amongst the young of this country – it makes me sad.

As for the oft mentioned "rights" of these two, NEVER assume the rights of the country you are in are the same as the "rights" of the country you are from. Can you imagine that would have happened if these two would have pulled something akin in the West Bank? Please!!

You should get over yourself. What nation they were from has nothing to do with their behavior. I've seen more Canadians with this attitude than I have seen individuals from Europe or the United States.

You need an attitude adjustment. These kids were out of line. But that had nothing to do with their being American. I lived in your so-called peaceful and tolerant Canada for several years. I found many Canadians are mouthy, self-righteous people who looked down their noses at Americans.

Hilarious. The best part is all the whining Americans crying about the Canadian's attitude.

It's almost as if they have no clue that this is how Americans are generally seen.

Would you all have got angry if the poster didn't say what her own nationality was? I doubt it. This is completely typical. Have a look on other websites and you'll see thousands of examples where American people make cultural faux pas with a great deal of NOISE and INDIGNANCE due to their country of birth.

Of course the American people will say "Oh! We're not rude!!!" because to behave like that in America isn't rude. But overseas, the rules change, and you're well known for being much too forceful in your "assertiveness".

It's a cultural ignorance. There's no point arguing if you don't understand overseas culture and all you have to draw on is your understanding of the USA.

And don't bother shooting the messenger. Anything you say will merely back up my statement.

I agree with you.
I am an American and I agree with the Canadian Gentleman. America's media make Americans think we run the world and when the inexperienced Yank is traveling internationally they tend to carry this attitude with them. Not everyone on this planet like Americans. The American Bill of Rights only exists in America so be very polite when visiting other countries. Big hint. Keep your voice down. American accents can be very annoying to the untrained ear.

Having been to Costa Rica I find this story a bit unbelievable to be honest. Actually having been to 40 countries I find this unbelievable. These kind of stories (told by bigots) really only appeal to other bigots.

I am a US Citizen living in Canada. The vast majority of Canadians I know are very nice people, much like most Americans back home. I love to see the Blue Jays play at the Rogers Center and on many occasions have seen unruly young Canadian (perhaps college kids as well) acting poorly. Is this a reflection on the country? No, just kids being kids.

The one thing that I do find funny about living in Canada though, is how much the USA is in the news (paper and tv). I never heard too much about Canada while living in LA, but the neighbors to their south are always in their papers or on tv, especailly during our last presedential election. That really was suprising to see all the Obama bumper stickers!

Thats what happens when the biggest world power is at your border. Frankly, all my time in the states I hear little to no international news on any american channels. It's sad really because kids don't get any information on other cultures.

I on the other hand, see the point of canadian traveller "were from america and we bring money to your stupid 3rd world country, so we dont wait in lines" this is a common strategy from "the most powerful country in the world"

Canadian hypocrite. I am an American citizen who grew up in Canada. Canadians, though I love the country and its people, have an irrational big brother/little brother attitude towards Americans.
The two students in question were nasty students, not American, not Canadian, not British, students. Just students.
Your story was great, except for your anti-American sentiments.

out of line rerere. At least you could be creative with how you tell someone to go to hell.

Since you seem to know the way, you lead.

/// Did you see what I did there?

——————————————–

Tha anti-american sentiments hit home pretty closely for me, since my lady will be driving up here in a week or so, to live permanently. My little Texan is on her way to me.

*puts on dancing boots*

American culture can seem crass, insenitive, (insert favourite put down here), but nobody knows anything about the generous streak inherent in just about every American citizen. If you really need help, right now, a can of beans, a drive to the hospital….don;t let the news fool you. Most people will help.

I think most people, suffering no real loss, will help. That holds true in most places. Those who would try to take advantage smell of trouble.

Watch your mouth. Next time we have a war be sure to call the Canadians. They have been beside us in every war including the one we started in Iraq. You can be angry at the comments but mind your mouth. You make us look like all the nasty comments made about us.

Just curious canadian traveler. Did you dislocate your shoulder while you were patting yourself on the back for being such a well mannered line stander? Sounds to me as though they were behaving like 50% of college aged kids generally do, American or otherwise.

So because they are college aged kids makes it okay for them to act in such a poor manner? It doesn't matter if 50% of people that age (or any age, really) act that way, perhaps if the rest were strip searched, that number would plunge to zero.

Kobold, Did Bob offend you ? You should be very careful what you say about neanderthals since they at least made it down out of the trees whereas most Canucks are still swinging from the branches. As far as eating shit goes perhaps that would explain the inability to speak proper english, EH. And while you have my attention why would anyone from a second rate (at best ) country feel they are qualified to bad mouth the good old U.S. of A ? For a citizen of a country that is so completely dependant on the U.S. for everything from industry and science to national defense I would think that you would be grateful for the help and consideration shown to your utterly backwards country by the citizens and government of The United States of America, but that would be contrary to your national past time of biting the hand that feeds you now would'nt it ? Now go eat shit you shit eating Canadian puke.

Judging by your name you have very little respect for yourself. Canada is not dependent upon the US for anything. As for biting the hand that feeds you, soon you will be buying only Canadian oil from Alberta. Guys like you make the rest of America look bad. You get down to the level of the rude comments are being made about us and you roll in the pig shit with them. Grow up….

"a country that is so completely dependant on the U.S. for everything from industry and science to national defense".

You have perfected the art of the useless and untrue throwaway comment. But that is in keeping with the propaganda and brainwashing you are fed by a significant portion of your media.

As to national defense, the ONLY country that has ever threatened Canada is, well, the United States. I'm not sure what you are protecting from, but thanks I guess. Arriving late to two world wars while we sacrificed is not a good record for your country. Arriving in Afghanistan with means to conduct a war while we toiled away quietly for seven years (another late to the party on your card) because someone decided removing Saddam was a better idea than going after those who actually attacked the US…well, who am I to judge your byzantine pseudo-democracy that almost always guarantees only those who are best at sucking up to money get elected?

Now the industry thing is a bit of a mystery to me. Canada was almost wholly agrarian prior to 1914, but has had more than it's share of industry for a century, and continues to do so. And we are generous enough we guaranteed energy supplies to the US in our free trade agreement. That guarantee should have ended the reliance on Saudi Oil, but it didn't. I guess the Bush's and Cheney's of the world were too interested in foreign adventures to look closer to home and see that Canada has more oil and gas than they do. Also more diamonds than S.Africa, more copper than ..ah never mind.

As to science, I leave it up to you to decide which were worthy inventions. Some are admittedly questionable, but the electron microscope, the bone marrow compatibility test, insulin, JAVA, kerosone, newsprint, odometer, snowblower, telephone, walkie-talkie, wireless radio, and the zipper are a few that make life easier for many, even if they don't know it.

"As to national defense, the ONLY country that has ever threatened Canada is, well, the United States. I'm not sure what you are protecting from, but thanks I guess."

Except the UK when it was still French; and Germany, Japan, and every Axis power in WW2; and then the Soviet Union in the Cold War.

"Arriving late to two world wars while we sacrificed is not a good record for your country."

Well, you see, back then, America wasn't bored enough to try and fight what in essence started out as solely European wars. Also, so what? Canada was a Dominion of Great Britain, of course you would do whatever Great Britain told you to do.

"Arriving in Afghanistan with means to conduct a war while we toiled away quietly for seven years (another late to the party on your card)"

This is totally false, we went into Afghanistan the same year you did.

"well, who am I to judge your byzantine pseudo-democracy that almost always guarantees only those who are best at sucking up to money get elected?"

Hmm, well that's nice, at but at least we don't have a obvious ploy to keep the Prime Minister in power for as long a possible (really, you call elections any time you want to), and hey, at least we're an actual independent country. Whereas the UK just got too bored of ruling you.

"Canada has more oil and gas than they do. Also more diamonds than S.Africa, more copper than ..ah never mind."

Well that's great, now come the problem of developing these sites . . .

"I leave it up to you to decide which were worthy inventions."

Well obviously you would have some inventions, you wouldn't deserve to be called an industrialized country if you didn't.

It's just a code word for be careful who you try to flame. Some of us can understand and communicate complete, complex thoughts.

I predict the demise of another troll shortly, as you add nothing but a couple of yawns to what has been a long and fairly complex if at times rather heated discussion, about how one should act in a foreign country.

typical american attitude…….we are better then everyone else and yet we have never witnessed the great outside so we have no basis of comparing

bunch of brainwashed people fed with false beliefs, the education system sucks here, alot of things in the US are below other nations, letting people who cant afford healthcare to move onto the next life n kicking them out before giving them the chance

The news is all one sided, showing the negatives of other countries and barely any positive……….the US government as a whole is corrupt with all of the lobbyests, if you have money then you will be A ok…………and it seems that every week there is some new scandel going on with some politician

I think its funny how people are getting behind Palin, who tried to call out Obama about using teleprompters………..while she was clearly reading on herself making that arguement, and she has to write on her hands to remember anything……….but she doesnt seem to know too much about anything and she keeps switching sides and her positions on different subjects

America the land of the great? oh really tell me how? land of the free? na you pay alot more to live here then many other countries….including rights whcih brings to the point the prison system is always overcrowded with millions of prisoners………america is a good country but you cant compare America with another country unless you have been in the other country and examined it and understand that country

We're a helluva lot better for the US than China, but you keep lining up in Walmart, breathing through your mouth, vacant eyes, hands desperately searching for the next useless thing to buy.

I fully support a troll-monitor (an algorithm so Gregg doesn't have to do more work), so people with little in the way of a personal life can have their ability to leave thought-free comments are removed, ignored, alone at home with their own anger issues.

You Bob, do not represent your compatriots.

I've had some time to learn about the diverse opinions in my girlfriends family (a proud, flag-waving American family), and in turn to teach them that Canada isn't the magical land of Trotssky and Lenin. We are the land of 95% wilderness, and we can turn a profit doing it.

In the one place the US has tried it, 60% of Alaska State revenues come from the US Federal Government, despite ample natural resources. Any time you want to try to make a go of it up here, you are welcome.

Your use of the 'Eh' is rather ignorant, considering that

"Eh (pronounced /ˈeɪ/ or /ˈɛ/ in English) is a spoken interjection in English, Armenian, Japanese, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese meaning something along the lines of "Repeat that, please". It is also commonly used as a method for inciting an answer, as in "it's nice here, eh?" Also, it can also be used to express indifference, similar to "meh". In North America, it is most commonly associated with Canada."

Please open a book, any book that is admittedly written by humans, to learn something about the wider world. The United States is not the center of the universe, unless you are talking about self-important assholes who buy all the propaganda fed to them on a daily basis.

In that case, the US could be considered the asshole of the world, inflicting crap on everyone else. But I don't describe it that way, as it would offend someone whom I love very much.

It is for the most part a thoughtful, generous people sprinkled with the taint of people like you.

To"Kad" It's useless to argue with boneheads like Howie (a name for a retard?) and Bob. Those two always running down to the post office to salute their flag and then join their fat smelly wife's at the bingo game after they drooled because they saw a 20 year old girl in a distance. BTW, your country tried to invade Canada in 1812 and got a bloody nose by the British. Stop talking about other countries and clean up your own first! If it wasn't for Europeans who came her since 1939, such as Einstein, Von Braun etc. you would still be picking cotton balls. No, I'm not from Canada and this is not my mother language but I speak three more. Maybe not perfect but people do understand me. Now, visit Canada again and "dump another load" and eat it. I'm sure you do this all the time back home since you don't have an outhouse in your backyard covered with empty Budweiser bottles.

If an asshole filter is put to use we will never hear from Kad again and speaking of Kad is it merely a coincidence that he is exactly, to the second the same age as the dump I left in Canada all those years ago? If there is a piece of Charmin hanging off of his head then I will take the blame for causing that piece of Kad to repeatedly post his nonsense on this site.

No way, Eh. We invented the fart and several skin rashes Eh. All that aside I am really interested in Schwulliberts offer to Bob Eh. If Bob passes on your offer I as a good Canadian will be honored to fill your request Eh. Oh and I almost forgot that we also invented gay sex Eh. Yoo Hoo Schwullibert Eh.

A monkey (you) trying to imitate a homo sapien (me). I imagine it doesn't take a lot of effort to be that ignorant for whomever just pretended to be me. It's likely someone with a douchey-sounding name.

I was done with the discussion a long time ago. Perhaps you should get over whatever perceived insult you read and move on with your life.

Amazing that people want to complain about Americans yet, everytime they have a natural diaster, America is the first country they call wanting a hand-out and then complain it wasn't fast enought. Or if they need someone to take down their dictator, who do they call? You got it, America.
Traveling is bad at its best, so they got a little cranky having their stuff re-checked several times. SO WHAT? Every person in the history of traveling has gotten cranky at one time or another about something!
The cute, pink bra comment was disgusting.

Who put the Sha Reza Palevi in power? USA Who helped Mubarak to stay in power? USA Who secretly advised Gadhafi till July? Who at one time helped Saddam with weapons and more? USA And on and on. Yeah, we waisted so much helping others but would not help our own. ( Remember Katrina? Remember Love Canal? And on and on Now taking away SS (no cost of living increase for past two years) cutting down/off Medicare, Medicaid etc.

To tell you the truth, quite a few nations do not need the americans. What you percive as a God given position in the world does not comply with what most other peopls think of you. Most natural disasters in the world have been handeled quite well without your engament. What you percive as need for taking down a dictator have resultet in outright hate towards americans in quite a large part of the world, and you are in general despised in europa. We eropeans tend to think of you as primitive religious fanatics in the same kindergartens as the iranians. Only that you are more dangerous.

I am an American and I agree with the Canadian Gentleman. America's media make Americans think we run the world and when the inexperienced Yank is traveling internationally they tend to carry this attitude with them. Not everyone on this planet like Americans. The American Bill of Rights only exists in America so be very polite when visiting other countries. Big hint. Keep your voice down. American accents can be very annoying to the untrained ear.

There being Americans has plenty to do with there self-righteous behavior. Americans are the only people in the world who punch you in the face if you say anything about their country (‘Why do you have to be born in the US to be president?Why not just a citizen?) Okay, Americans! You refuse to let the government help you, you delight in owning death machines (guns) but your irritated by airport security?! So what!

This story is a little hard to believe. I have never, in my life, seen a security agents strip search anyone, ever. And before you just say 'Costa Rica' to me…I have traveled the world over. Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, China, SK, Guatemala, Belize, St Lucia, and more. I've seen people get patted down and/or lead to private rooms after disrupting a security line…but never held at gunpoint and stripped…no third world country dependent on first world tourism wants to risk that publicity. So I'm calling BS.

In all likelihood, if anything happened at all, some American kids got rowdy, and the security guys chewed them out. And you thought about what a smug, holier-than-thou piece you could write about 'ugly Americans.'

I doubt you are even Canadian. I won't say where I suspect you are from…that would be a heinous stereotype.

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